In this article about Škocjan Caves, we will introduce you to this magnificent cave system on the UNESCO list of natural and cultural World Heritage sites. Furthermore, we will show you why you should visit them and when it is the best time to see them.
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Short intro to Škocjan Caves
Škocjan Caves is a cave system in Slovenia recognized for its exceptional significance. And that’s why it was included on UNESCO’s list of natural and cultural World Heritage Sites in 1986. The international scientific community has acknowledged the caves as one of Earth’s natural treasures. Renowned as one of the most important caves in the world, Škocjan Caves is a significant underground phenomenon on the Karst Plateau and in Slovenia.
Škocjan Caves – World Heritage – UNESCO
- One of the largest known underground canyons in the world;
- Examples of natural magnificence with excellent aesthetic value
- Due to particular microclimatic conditions, an extraordinary ecosystem has developed;
- The area has great cultural and historical significance as it has been inhabited since prehistoric times;
- A typical example of contact karst.
Where are they
The Škocjan Caves Park lies in the far south-east of the traditional Karst, near Divača. There is no direct train or bus from Ljubljana to the caves. Therefore, if you are visiting Slovenia’s capital, you should rent a car or book a guided tour from Ljubljana.
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Škocjan caves desribtion and tours
Visiting the Škocjan Caves is a must-do activity for anyone visiting Slovenia. And also for those who want to explore the vast underground chambers extending over 6km—carved out by the Reka River. This cave system is a natural wonder that eventually flows into the Dead Lake after entering a gorge beneath the village of Škocjan. Dressing warmly and wearing appropriate walking shoes are essential for the tour.
Tours
The most popular option for visitors is a two-hour guided tour through the caves. You’ll walk in groups from the ticket office for around 600m down a gravel path to the main entrance in the Globočak Valley. Passing through a 116m-long tunnel built in 1933, you’ll reach the head of the Silent Cave, a dry branch of the underground canyon that extends 500m. The Silent Cave ends at the Great Hall, which is 120m wide and 30m high, filled with stunning stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstones resembling snowdrifts and exotic dripstones and deposits.
The tour’s highlight is crossing the Cerkevnik Bridge, suspended almost 50m above the riverbed. The Schmidl Hall is the final section and emerges into the Velika Dolina (Big Valley). From here, you’ll walk past Tominč Cave, where finds from a prehistoric settlement have been discovered, and over a walkway near the Natural Bridge. The tour ends at a funicular lift that takes you back to the entrance, or you can opt to walk, which takes around 30 minutes.
During the tour, you will discover that the caves are home to many flora and fauna. But, the paths can be slippery sometimes, so caution is essential. The temperature is constant at 12°C, so bringing a jacket or sweater is necessary. Furthermore, it’s important to note that photography is not allowed. A combined ticket with Through the Underground Canyon costs 24 euros in peak season and 18 euros in the shoulder season.
You can book a tour directly on their site, but if you visit neighboring destinations (like Ljubljana or Piran, you can book a guided tour here.
Tip: In a peak season, the prices are higher, and the crowds are more significant, so we recommend visiting them in the shoulder season.
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Why Škocjan Caves Are Worth Visiting
If you’re hesitant about exploring caves, Škocjan Caves will change your mind. This cave system is unlike anything you’ve seen before. Its grandeur is breathtaking and impossible to imagine. You’ll feel like you’ve entered an underground world hidden from sight. As you journey through the cave’s depths, new chambers reveal themselves, each more astounding than the last. Walking through the canyon, we felt we were in the fantasy world of Mordor from Lord of the Rings.
Conclusion
Škocjan Caves are most certainly one of the most beautiful cave systems worldwide. Therefore, we highly recommend visiting them with another Karst beauty (Postojna cave). But if you have further suggestions for what to see and do in Slovenia, please share them with us in the comments below.
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Photo credits:
Feature photo credits: park-skocjanske-jame.si/